Illusion presentation system, and illusion presentation method

ABSTRACT

A feeling is given that a stationary object that actually exists as a physical object is moving. In an illusion showing system including: an object; and a video presentation device that presents video for superimposition that includes a stationary object area having a substantially identical contour as a contour of the object, at least one luminance varying area located along a contour of the stationary object area, and a background area other than the stationary object area and the luminance varying area, and in which luminance of the luminance varying area varies with time in a luminance range based on luminance of the object and luminance of the background area, the object and the video for superimposition are shown so that a contour of the stationary object area of the video for superimposition presented by the video presentation device substantially matches a contour of the object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. 371 Application of International PatentApplication No. PCT/JP2019/036007, filed on 13 Sep. 2019, whichapplication claims priority to and the benefit of JP Application No.2018-181585, filed on 27 Sep. 2018, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a technique for giving a feeling thatan object which is not actually moving is moving.

BACKGROUND ART

Non-Patent Literature 1 discloses that a feeling that the stationaryobject is moving (the illusion that it is moving) is given, on theassumption that a screen area 40 having a certain luminance includes astationary object area 10, which is a quadrangular area having adifferent luminance, on a screen such as a CRT display or an LCD displayas shown in FIG. 13(a) and FIG. 12(a), when a first luminance varyingarea 30 a and a second luminance varying area 30 b, which are areaswhere luminance is varied with time, are respectively provided along twofacing sides of the four sides of the stationary object area 10 (in theexample of the figures, the two left and right sides) as shown in FIG.13(b) and FIG. 12(b), the remaining area is set to a background area 20still having the original luminance of the screen area 40, and each ofthe first luminance varying area 30 a and the second luminance varyingarea 30 b is given time variation in luminance across the luminance ofthe background area 20, that is, time variation in luminance within therange from a luminance lower than the luminance of the background area20 to a luminance higher than the luminance of the background area 20.

The technique of Non-Patent Literature 1 in the case where the luminanceof the stationary object area 10 is brighter than the luminance of thebackground area 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13(c)-(d).FIG. 13(c) is a diagram showing the relationship between the luminanceof each area and time. The axis of ordinates represents relativeluminance in the case where the luminance of the stationary object area10 is set to a relative luminance of 1, and a luminance value of 0,which is the lowest luminance, is set to a relative luminance of 0. Theaxis of abscissas represents the frame number in video presented by adisplay. The luminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a adjacentto the left side of the stationary object area 10 and the luminance ofthe second luminance varying area 30 b adjacent to the right side of thestationary object area 10 are varying with time, with the luminance ofthe background area 20 set to a relative luminance of 0.5 as the center,sinusoidally between the lowest luminance and the highest luminanceequal to the luminance of the stationary object area 10 so as to be inantiphase with respect to time. FIG. 13(d) shows the luminance ranges ofthe stationary object area 10, the background area 20, the firstluminance varying area 30 a, and the second luminance varying area 30 b.In Non-Patent Literature 1, when the luminance of the stationary objectarea 10 is brighter than the luminance of the background area 20 asshown in FIG. 13(a), the first luminance varying area 30 a and thesecond luminance varying area 30 b are arranged as shown in FIG. 13(b),and the luminances of these luminance varying areas are varied with timeas shown in FIG. 13(c) so as to give a feeling that the stationaryobject area 10 is periodically moving to right and left (give theillusion that it is moving).

The technique of Non-Patent Literature 1 in the case where the luminanceof the stationary object area 10 is darker than the luminance of thebackground area 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14(c)-(d).FIG. 14(c) is a diagram showing the relationship between the luminanceof each area and time. The axis of ordinates represents relativeluminance in the case where the luminance of the stationary object area10 is set to a relative luminance of 0 and a predetermined highestluminance is set to a relative luminance of 1. The axis of abscissasrepresents the frame number in video presented by the display. Theluminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a adjacent to the leftside of the stationary object area 10 and the luminance of the secondluminance varying area 30 b adjacent to the right side of the stationaryobject area 10 are varying with time, with the luminance of thebackground area 20 set to a relative luminance of 0.5 as the center,sinusoidally between the lowest luminance equal to the luminance of thestationary object area 10 and the highest luminance so as to be inantiphase with respect to time. FIG. 14(d) shows the luminance ranges ofthe stationary object area 10, the background area 20, the firstluminance varying area 30 a, and the second luminance varying area 30 b.In Non-Patent Literature 1, when the luminance of the stationary objectarea 10 is darker than the luminance of the background area 20 as shownin FIG. 14(a), the first luminance varying area 30 a and the secondluminance varying area 30 b are arranged as shown in FIG. 14(b), and theluminances of these luminance varying areas are varied with time asshown in FIG. 14(c), so as to give a feeling that the stationary objectarea 10 is periodically moving to right and left.

CITATION LIST Non-Patent Literature

-   Non-Patent Literature 1: Shapiro, A. G., Charles, J. P., &    Shear-Heyman, M., “Visual illusions based on single-field contrast    asynchronies,” [online], November 2005, Journal of Vision, 5 (10),    2-2, [searched on Sep. 10, 2018], Internet    <https://doi.org/10.1167/5.10.2>

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

Non-Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for giving a feeling thata stationary object displayed in a screen is moving using luminancevarying areas, but does not disclose a technique for giving a feelingthat a stationary object that actually exists as a physical object ismoving.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,and an object thereof is to provide a technique for giving a feelingthat a stationary object that actually exists as a physical object ismoving.

Means for Solving the Problem

In an illusion showing system including: an object; and a videopresentation device that presents video for superimposition thatincludes a stationary object area having a substantially identicalcontour as a contour of the object, at least one luminance varying arealocated along a contour of the stationary object area, and a backgroundarea other than the stationary object area and the luminance varyingarea, and in which luminance of the luminance varying area varies withtime in a luminance range based on luminance of the object and luminanceof the background area, the object and the video for superimposition areshown so that a contour of the stationary object area of the video forsuperimposition presented by the video presentation device substantiallymatches a contour of the object.

Effects of the Invention

This makes it possible to give a feeling that a stationary object thatactually exists as a physical object is moving.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for illustrating an illusion showing system ofan embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram for illustrating an illusion showing method ofan embodiment.

FIGS. 3(a)-(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating a state in which anobject is placed on the screen or projection surface of a videopresentation device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for illustrating an illusion showing system ofan embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for illustrating an illusion showing method ofan embodiment.

FIGS. 6(a)-(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating a state in which anobject is placed on the screen or projection surface of a videopresentation device.

FIG. 7(a) is a diagram schematically illustrating an image for givingluminance varying areas generated by a still image generation unit ofthe fourth embodiment. FIG. 7(b) is a diagram schematically illustratingan example in which a first luminance varying area and a secondluminance varying area are set in the image for giving luminance varyingareas in FIG. 7(a).

FIG. 8(a) is a diagram schematically illustrating an image for givingluminance varying areas generated by a still image generation unit ofthe fifth embodiment. FIG. 8(b) is a diagram schematically illustratingan example in which a first luminance varying area and a secondluminance varying area are set in the image for giving luminance varyingareas in FIG. 8(a).

FIG. 9(a) is a diagram schematically illustrating an image for givingluminance varying areas generated by a still image generation unit ofthe sixth embodiment. FIG. 9(b) is a diagram schematically illustratingan example in which a first luminance varying area and a secondluminance varying area are set in the image for giving luminance varyingareas in FIG. 9(a).

FIGS. 10(a)-(b) are diagrams illustrating the luminances of thestationary object area, the background area, the first luminance varyingarea, and the second luminance varying area included in video forsuperimposition of the embodiments.

FIGS. 11(a)-(b) are diagrams illustrating the luminances of thestationary object area, the background area, the first luminance varyingarea, and the second luminance varying area included in video forsuperimposition of the embodiments.

FIGS. 12(a)-(c) are schematic diagrams illustrating images that aretemporally continuously displayed at the same spatial position.

FIG. 13(a) is a diagram schematically illustrating an image in which astationary object area is provided in a screen area. FIG. 13(b) is adiagram schematically illustrating an example in which the firstluminance varying area and the second luminance varying area are set inthe image in FIG. 13(a).

FIGS. 13(c)-(d) are diagrams illustrating each of the luminances of thestationary object area, the background area, the first luminance varyingarea, and the second luminance varying area included in video forpresentation or video for superimposition.

FIG. 14(a) is a diagram schematically illustrating an image in which astationary object area is provided in the screen area. FIG. 14(b) is adiagram schematically illustrating an example in which the firstluminance varying area and the second luminance varying area are set inthe image in FIG. 14(a).

FIGS. 14(c)-(d) are diagrams illustrating each of the luminances of thestationary object area, the background area, the first luminance varyingarea, and the second luminance varying area included in video forpresentation or video for superimposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

In a first embodiment, an embodiment will be described that gives afeeling that a stationary object, which is a quadrangular real objectthat looks brighter than a background area, is moving.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an illusion showing system 400 of the firstembodiment includes an image generation device 100, an object generationdevice 200, and a video presentation device 300. The image generationdevice 100 comprises a still image generation unit 110 and a videogeneration unit 120. The object generation device 200 comprises at leasta printing unit 210, and may comprise a processing unit 220. The videopresentation device 300 is, for example, a CRT display, an LCD display,or a video projector. The operation of the illusion showing system 400and an illusion showing method using the illusion showing system 400will be described below with further reference to FIG. 2.

<<Image Generation Device 100>>

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image generation device 100 of thisembodiment generates and outputs an image for giving luminance varyingareas and video for superimposition.

<Still Image Generation Unit 110>

The still image generation unit 110 generates and outputs an image forgiving luminance varying areas including a stationary object area 10 ina quadrangular shape and an image area 20′ other than the stationaryobject area. The image for giving luminance varying areas is output tothe video generation unit 120, and is also output to the outside of theimage generation device 100 to be input to the object generation device200. The still image generation unit 110 performs, for example, stepS1101 and step S1102 below.

Step S1101: The still image generation unit 110 sets the luminance ofthe stationary object area 10 and the luminance of the background area20 so that the luminance of the stationary object area 10 is brighterthan the luminance of the background area 20. At that time, theluminances themselves of the stationary object area 10 and thebackground area 20 to be set or the magnitude relationship between theluminance of the stationary object area 10 and the luminance of thebackground area 20 may be input from unillustrated input means providedin the image generation device 100 as “information regarding whether tomake the stationary object brighter or darker than the background area”,or information stored in an unillustrated storage unit in the imagegeneration device 100 may be used. Since the luminance of the stationaryobject area 10 and the luminance of the background area 20 that are setare not only used in step S1102 to be performed next but also used inthe video generation unit 120, they are output to the video generationunit 120.

Step S1102: The still image generation unit 110 first generates abackground image having the luminance of the background area 20 that isset in step S1101 (step S1102-1). The pair of the number of pixels inthe horizontal direction and the number of pixels in the verticaldirection of the background image may be set to a pair of the number ofpixels in the horizontal direction and the number of pixels in thevertical direction that can be presented by a video presentation device300 described later, and it may be input from the unillustrated inputmeans provided in the image generation device 100 as “information on theshape of the background area”, or one stored in the unillustratedstorage unit in the image generation device 100 may be used. Next, thestill image generation unit 110 draws a quadrangle having the luminanceof the stationary object area 10 set in step S1101 near the center ofthe background image generated in step S1102-1 to generate and outputthe image for giving luminance varying areas (step S1102-2). Forexample, the center (centroid) of the quadrangle to be drawn and thecenter (centroid) of the background image may be located at the sameposition. When the image for giving luminance varying areas generated bythe still image generation unit 110 is schematically shown, it becomesas in FIG. 13(a). Information on the quadrangle to be drawn, forexample, the pair of the number of pixels in the horizontal directionand the number of pixels in the vertical direction may be input from theunillustrated input means provided in the image generation device 100 as“information on the shape of the stationary object area”, or informationstored in the unillustrated storage unit in the image generation device100 may be used. Note that the image area of the drawn quadrangle is thestationary object area 10.

<Video Generation Unit 120>

The video generation unit 120 provides a luminance varying area, inwhich the luminance varies with time in a luminance range based on theluminance of the stationary object area 10 and the luminance of thebackground area 20 input from the still image generation unit 110, inthe image for giving luminance varying areas input from the still imagegeneration unit 110 to generate and output video 4 for superimposition.The video generation unit 120 performs, for example, step S1201 and stepS1202 below.

Step S1201: The video generation unit 120 sets, at an outer positionalong the left side of the stationary object area 10, a rectangular areawhose long side matches the left side of the stationary object area 10as a luminance varying area. The luminance varying area set here willhereinafter be referred to as a first luminance varying area 30 a.Further, the video generation unit 120 sets, at an outer position alongthe right side of the stationary object area 10, a rectangular areawhose long side matches the right side of the stationary object area 10as a luminance varying area. The luminance varying area set here willhereinafter be referred to as a second luminance varying area 30 b. Notethat the area that is none of the stationary object area 10, the firstluminance varying area 30 a, and the second luminance varying area 30 bis the background area 20. When an example in which the first luminancevarying area 30 a and the second luminance varying area 30 b are set inthe image for giving luminance varying areas in FIG. 13(a) isschematically shown, it becomes as in FIG. 13(b). The length of a shortside of each luminance varying area (the width of the luminance varyingarea) is desirably set so that when the video presentation device 300described later presents video generated by the image generation device100, the viewing angle of a person who views the video is 0.2 degrees orits vicinity. For example, when it is set assuming that the videopresented by the video presentation device 300 is viewed from a positionabout 100 cm away, the width of each luminance varying area is desirablyset to about 3.5 mm. However, the width of the luminance varying areasis optional, and may be set so that the viewing angle is other than thevicinity of 0.2 degrees. Note that, as the viewing angle of theluminance varying areas expands to 0.2 degrees or more or narrows to 0.2degrees or less, the illusion effect that gives a feeling that thestationary object is moving decreases. Note that the width of theluminance varying areas may be input from the unillustrated input meansprovided in the image generation device 100 as “information on the widthof the luminance varying areas”, or one stored in the unillustratedstorage unit in the image generation device 100 may be used.

Step S1202: The video generation unit 120 varies with time the luminanceof the luminance varying area set in step S1201 based on the luminanceof the stationary object area 10 and the luminance of the backgroundarea 20 input from the still image generation unit 110 to generate andoutput the video 4 for superimposition (step S1202A). Alternatively, thevideo generation unit 120 varies with time the luminance of theluminance varying area set in step S1201 based on the luminance of thestationary object area 10 and the luminance of the background area 20input from the still image generation unit 110, and sets the luminanceof the stationary object area 10 to 0 to generate and output the video 4for superimposition (step S1202B). The maximum value of the time-varyingluminance of the luminance varying area is set to a value larger thanthe luminance of the background area 20 and smaller than or equal to theinput luminance of the stationary object area 10. The minimum value ofthe time-varying luminance of the luminance varying area is set to avalue smaller than the maximum value of the time-varying luminance ofthe luminance varying area. The time variation in the luminance varyingarea may be sinusoidal or triangular, and the change in luminance withtime may be non-linear or linear. Further, the time variation in theluminance varying area may be periodical, or may be monotonicallyincreasing or monotonically decreasing. For example, when the videopresentation device 300 presents the video 4 for superimposition inwhich the luminances of the two luminance varying areas, i.e., the firstluminance varying area 30 a and the second luminance varying area 30 bare periodically varied by the video generation unit 120, the phasedifference between the variations in luminance of the two luminancevarying areas can be set to 180 degrees to give a feeling that thestationary object is moving in the direction of the luminance varyingarea whose luminance gets closer to the luminance of the stationaryobject area 10, and to give a feeling that the stationary object isperiodically moving to right and left. For example, as shown in FIG.13(c), the maximum value of the luminance of the first luminance varyingarea 30 a and the maximum value of the luminance of the second luminancevarying area 30 b are set to the same value as the input luminance ofthe stationary object area 10, the minimum value of the luminance of thefirst luminance varying area 30 a and the minimum value of the luminanceof the second luminance varying area 30 b are set to 0, and the timevariation in luminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a and thetime variation in luminance of the second luminance varying area 30 bare set to be in a sine wave shape with a phase difference of 180degrees (antiphase), thereby making it possible to give a feeling thatthe stationary object is periodically moving to right and left. Further,for example, the phase difference between the periodic time variation inluminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a and the periodic timevariation in luminance of the second luminance varying area 30 b can beset to 0 degrees to give a feeling of the enlarging and reducing motionof the stationary object. Note that when the luminance of the luminancevarying area is periodically increased or decreased like a sine wave,the temporal frequency of the periodic variation in luminance of theluminance varying area in the video 4 for superimposition is set to belarger than or equal to 0.25 Hz and less than or equal to 2 Hz.

When a CRT display or an LCD display is used as the video presentationdevice 300 described later, step S1202 performed by the video generationunit 120 may be either step S1202A or step S1202B, but when a videoprojector is used as the video presentation device 300, it needs to bestep S1202B.

<<Object Generation Device 200>>

The image for giving luminance varying areas that is output from theimage generation device 100 is input to the printing unit 210. Theprinting unit 210 obtains and outputs a printed matter that is obtainedby printing the input image for giving luminance varying areas on aplane made of paper, wood, cloth, glass, synthetic resin, metal, or thelike (step S210).

The printed matter output from the printing unit 210 is input to theprocessing unit 220. For example, the processing unit 220 keeps the areawhere the stationary object area 10 is printed in the printed matter asit is, and removes the remaining area to obtain and output an object 60having substantially the same contour as the contour of the stationaryobject area 10 (step S220).

Note that using a well-known printer not provided with the processingunit 220 as the object generation device 200, the user may cut out thearea where the stationary object area 10 is printed in the printedmatter along the contour line of the stationary object area 10 to obtainthe object 60 having substantially the same contour as the contour ofthe stationary object area 10.

<<Video Presentation Device 300>>

As shown in FIG. 1, the video 4 for superimposition that is generatedand output by the image generation device 100 is input to the videopresentation device 300. For example, when using a video presentationdevice 300 provided with a screen such as a CRT display or an LCDdisplay, the video presentation device 300 displays the input video 4for superimposition on the screen provided in the video presentationdevice 300. Further, when using a video projector as the videopresentation device 300, the video presentation device 300 projects theinput video 4 for superimposition onto a projection surface such as ascreen to display the video 4 for superimposition on the projectionsurface such as a screen (step S300).

<<Illusion Showing Method>>

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(a), which is a side view of ascreen or projection surface 70, and FIG. 3(b), which is a front view ofthe screen or projection surface 70, the object 60 is arranged on thescreen or projection surface 70 of the video presentation device 300 sothat the contour line of the stationary object area 10 of the displayedvideo 4 for superimposition substantially matches the contour line ofthe object 60 (step S400). In the case of such arrangement, as for thearea where the object 60 is arranged in the visually recognized area,not the luminance of the stationary object area 10 included in the video4 for superimposition presented by the video presentation device 300 butthe luminance of the object 60, that is, the luminance of the stationaryobject area 10 printed on the object 60 is visually recognized. On theother hand, since the screen or projection surface 70 of the videopresentation device 300 is visually recognized in the area where theobject 60 is not arranged, it is composed of: a first partial area 73 awhere the time-varying luminance of the first luminance varying area 30a included in the video 4 for superimposition presented by the videopresentation device 300 is visually recognized; a second partial area 73b where the time-varying luminance of the second luminance varying area30 b included in the video 4 for superimposition presented by the videopresentation device 300 is visually recognized; and a third partial area72 where the luminance of the background area 20 included in the video 4for superimposition is visually recognized. This makes it possible togive a feeling that the stationary object printed on the object 60 ismoving. Note that since the luminance of the stationary object area 10included in the video 4 for superimposition is constant and theluminances of the first luminance varying area 30 a and the secondluminance varying area 30 b included in the video 4 for superimpositionchange with time, the contour line of the stationary object area 10 ofthe displayed video 4 for superimposition can be easily matched with thecontour line of the object 60.

Second Embodiment

In a second embodiment, an embodiment will be described that gives afeeling that a stationary object, which is a quadrangular real objectthat looks darker than a background area, is moving. The configurationof an illusion showing system of the second embodiment is the same asthat of the illusion showing system of the first embodiment illustratedin FIG. 1. Differences of the second embodiment from the firstembodiment are step S1101 performed by the still image generation unit110 of the image generation device 100 and step S1202 performed by thevideo generation unit 120. The differences of the second embodiment fromthe first embodiment will be described below.

Step S1101: Step S1101 in the second embodiment differs from step S1101in the first embodiment in that the still image generation unit 110 setsthe luminance of the stationary object area 10 and the luminance of thebackground area 20 so that the luminance of the stationary object area10 is darker than the luminance of the background area 20. Except forthis, it is the same as step S1101 in the first embodiment.

When the image for giving luminance varying areas generated by the stillimage generation unit 110 is schematically shown, it becomes as in FIG.14(a). Further, when an example in which the video generation unit 120sets the first luminance varying area 30 a and the second luminancevarying area 30 b in the image for giving luminance varying areas inFIG. 14(a) by the same step S1201 as in the first embodiment isschematically shown, it becomes as in FIG. 14(b).

Step S1202: Step S1202 in the second embodiment differs from step S1202in the first embodiment in that the minimum value of the time-varyingluminance of the luminance varying area is set to a value smaller thanthe luminance of the background area 20 and larger than or equal to theinput luminance of the stationary object area 10, and the maximum valueof the time-varying luminance of the luminance varying area is set to avalue larger than the minimum value of the time-varying luminance of theluminance varying area. Except for this, it is the same as step S1202 inthe first embodiment.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14(c), the minimum value of the luminanceof the first luminance varying area 30 a and the minimum value of theluminance of the second luminance varying area 30 b are set to the samevalue as the input luminance of the stationary object area 10, themaximum value of the luminance of the first luminance varying area 30 aand the maximum value of the luminance of the second luminance varyingarea 30 b are set to the maximum representable luminance value, and thetime variation in luminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a andthe time variation in luminance of the second luminance varying area 30b are set to be in a sine wave shape with a phase difference of 180degrees (antiphase), thereby making it possible to give a feeling thatthe stationary object is periodically moving to right and left. Further,for example, the phase difference between the periodic time variation inluminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a and the periodic timevariation in luminance of the second luminance varying area 30 b can beset to 0 degrees to give a feeling of the enlarging and reducing motionof the stationary object.

Third Embodiment

In a third embodiment, another embodiment will be described that gives afeeling that a stationary object, which is a quadrangular real object,is moving. While the first embodiment and the second embodiment areembodiments in which the stationary object is a printed real object andthe luminance varying areas and the background area are displayed on thescreen or on the projection surface, this embodiment is an embodiment inwhich the stationary object and the background area are printed realobjects and the luminance varying areas are displayed on the screen oron the projection surface. As illustrated in FIG. 4, an illusion showingsystem 400 of the third embodiment includes an image generation device100, an object generation device 200, and a video presentation device300. The image generation device 100 comprises a still image generationunit 110 and a video generation unit 120. The object generation device200 comprises at least a printing unit 210, and may comprise aprocessing unit 220. Differences of the operation of the illusionshowing system 400 and an illusion showing method using the illusionshowing system 400 from those of the first embodiment and the secondembodiment will be described below with further reference to FIG. 5.

<<Image Generation Device 100>>

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the image generation device 100 of thisembodiment generates and outputs an image for printing and video 4 forsuperimposition.

<Video Generation Unit 120>

The video generation unit 120 provides, for example, by step S1201described in the first embodiment and step S1202 described below, aluminance varying area, in which the luminance varies with time in aluminance range based on the luminance of the stationary object area 10and the luminance of the background area 20 input from the still imagegeneration unit 110, in the image for giving luminance varying areasinput from the still image generation unit 110 to generate and outputthe video 4 for superimposition.

Step S1202: The video generation unit 120 varies with time the luminanceof the luminance varying area set in step S1201 based on the luminanceof the stationary object area 10 and the luminance of the backgroundarea 20 input from the still image generation unit 110 to generate andoutput the video 4 for superimposition (step S1202A). Alternatively, thevideo generation unit 120 varies with time the luminance of theluminance varying area set in step S1201 based on the luminance of thestationary object area 10 and the luminance of the background area 20input from the still image generation unit 110, and sets the luminanceof at least either the stationary object area 10 or the background area20 to 0 to generate and output the video 4 for superimposition (stepS1202B). The time-varying luminance of the luminance varying area is setas described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

When a CRT display or an LCD display is used as the video presentationdevice 300, step S1202 performed by the video generation unit 120 may beeither step S1202A or step S1202B, but when a video projector is used asthe video presentation device 300, video generated by setting theluminance values of the luminances of both the stationary object area 10and the background area 20 to 0 needs to be output as the video 4 forsuperimposition in step S1202B.

Further, the video generation unit 120 generates and outputs, as animage for printing, an image in which the luminance varying areas set instep S1201 are made distinguishable from the stationary object area 10and the background area 20 in the image for giving luminance varyingareas input from the still image generation unit 110 (step S1203). Forexample, the video generation unit 120 generates and outputs, as animage for printing, an image in which a luminance different from thoseof the stationary object area 10 and the background area 20 is set inthe areas corresponding to the first luminance varying area 30 a and thesecond luminance varying area 30 b in the image for giving luminancevarying areas.

<<Object Generation Device 200>>

The image for printing that is output from the image generation device100 is input to the printing unit 210. The printing unit 210 obtains andoutputs a printed matter that is obtained by printing the input imagefor printing on a plane made of paper, wood, cloth, glass, syntheticresin, metal, or the like (step S210).

The printed matter output from the printing unit 210 is input to theprocessing unit 220. The processing unit 220 outputs an object 80obtained by processing the areas corresponding to the luminance varyingareas to transmit light by keeping the area where the stationary objectarea 10 is printed and the area where the background area 20 is printedin the printed matter as they are, and, for example, removing the areascorresponding to the first luminance varying area 30 a and the secondluminance varying area 30 b (step S220).

Alternatively, using a well-known printer not provided with theprocessing unit 220 as the object generation device 200, the user mayobtain the object 80 by processing the areas corresponding to theluminance varying areas to transmit light by keeping the area where thestationary object area 10 is printed and the area where the backgroundarea 20 is printed in the printed material as they are, and, forexample, removing the areas corresponding to the first luminance varyingarea 30 a and the second luminance varying area 30 b by cutting themout.

<<Illusion Showing Method>>

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(a), which is a cross-sectionalview orthogonal to the screen or projection surface 70, and FIG. 6(b),which is a front view of the screen or projection surface 70, the object80 is arranged on the screen or projection surface 70 of the videopresentation device 300 so that the contour line of the stationaryobject area 10 of the displayed video 4 for superimpositionsubstantially matches the contour line of an area 81 where thestationary object area 10 is printed in the object 80 (a first partialarea 81 of the object) (step S400). In the case of such arrangement, asfor the area where the object 80 is arranged in the visible area andwhich is not processed to transmit light, not the luminance of thestationary object area 10 included in the video 4 for superimpositionpresented by the video presentation device 300 but the luminance of theobject 80 is visually recognized. That is, as for the first partial area81 of the object, the luminance of the stationary object area 10 printedon the object 80 is visually recognized. Further, as for the area wherethe background area 20 is printed in the object 80 (a second partialarea 82 of the object), the luminance of the background area 20 printedon the object 80 is visually recognized. On the other hand, since thescreen or projection surface 70 of the video presentation device 300 isvisually recognized as for the area where the object 80 is not arrangedand the areas where the object 80 is arranged but which is processed totransmit light, they are composed of a first partial area 73 a in whichthe time-varying luminance of the first luminance varying area 30 aincluded in the video 4 for superimposition presented by the videopresentation device 300 is visually recognized and a second partial area73 b in which the time-varying luminance of the second luminance varyingarea 30 b is visually recognized. This makes it possible to give afeeling that the stationary object printed on the object 80 is moving.Note that since the luminance of the stationary object area 10 includedin the video 4 for superimposition is constant and the luminances of thefirst luminance varying area 30 a and the second luminance varying area30 b included in the video 4 for superimposition change with time, thecontour line of the stationary object area 10 of the displayed video 4for superimposition can be easily matched with the contour line of thearea 81 where the stationary object area 10 is printed in the object 80.

Fourth Embodiment

In a fourth embodiment, one embodiment will be described that gives afeeling that a stationary object, which is a real object in any shape,is moving. The configuration of an illusion showing system of the fourthembodiment is the same as that of any of the embodiments describedabove, i.e., that in FIG. 1 or 4. Differences of the fourth embodimentfrom each embodiment described above are step S1102-2 performed by thestill image generation unit 110 of the image generation device 100 andstep S1201 performed by the video generation unit 120. The differencesof the fourth embodiment from the first embodiment to the thirdembodiment will be described below.

In step S1102-2 performed by the still image generation unit 110, thestill image generation unit 110 draws a figure having the luminance ofthe stationary object area 10 set in step S1101 near the center of thebackground image generated in step S1102-1 to generate and output theimage for giving luminance varying areas (step S1102-2). For example,the center (centroid) of the figure to be drawn and the center(centroid) of the background image may be located at the same position.FIG. 7(a) is a diagram schematically showing the image 1′ for givingluminance varying areas generated by the still image generation unit110. The figure to be drawn may have any shape, and may be input fromthe unillustrated input means provided in the image generation device100 as “information on the shape of the stationary object area”, or onestored in the unillustrated storage unit in the image generation device100 may be used. Note that the image area of the drawn figure is thestationary object area 10.

A movement amount D_(L) and a movement amount D_(R) are used in stepS1201 performed by the video generation unit 120 of the fourthembodiment. The movement amount D_(L) and the movement amount D_(R) maybe input from the unillustrated input means provided in the imagegeneration device 100, or ones stored in the unillustrated storage unitin the image generation device 100 may be used. Since the movementamount D_(L) and the movement amount D_(R) are usually set to the samevalue, the same single value may be input or stored in advance, but theymay be different values, and each value may be input or stored inadvance.

Step S1201: The video generation unit 120 shifts the stationary objectarea 10 to the left by the movement amount D_(L) to obtain an areahaving the same shape as the stationary object area 10 (step S1201-1).Then, the video generation unit 120 sets an area that does not overlapthe stationary object area 10 in the area obtained in step S1201-1 as aluminance varying area (step S1201-2). The luminance varying area set instep S1201-2 will hereinafter be referred to as a first luminancevarying area 30 a. Further, the video generation unit 120 shifts thestationary object area 10 to the right by the movement amount D_(R) toobtain an area having the same shape as the stationary object area 10(step S1201-3). Then, the video generation unit 120 sets an area thatdoes not overlap the stationary object area 10 in the area obtained instep S1201-3 as a luminance varying area (step S1201-4). The luminancevarying area set in step S1201-4 will hereinafter be referred to as asecond luminance varying area 30 b.

Note that depending on the shape of the stationary object area 10, thearea that does not overlap the stationary object area 10 in the areaobtained in step S1201-1 and the area that does not overlap thestationary object area 10 in the area obtained in step S1201-3 may havean overlapping area. In this case, the overlapping area may be includedin either the first luminance varying area 30 a or the second luminancevarying area 30 b, but the overlapping area may be set as a thirdluminance varying area 30 c. When the overlapping area is set as thethird luminance varying area 30 c, the luminance of the third luminancevarying area 30 c also needs to be set to generate the video 4 forsuperimposition in step S1202 performed by the video generation unit120, and step S1202 in this case will be described later.

Further, without division into two steps: step S1201-1 and step S1201-2,the video generation unit 120 may set, as the first luminance varyingarea 30 a, an area that does not overlap the stationary object area 10in the area having the same shape as the stationary object area 10obtained by shifting the stationary object area 10 to the left by themovement amount D_(L). Similarly, without division into two steps: stepS1201-3 and step S1201-4, the video generation unit 120 may set, as thesecond luminance varying area 30 b, an area that does not overlap thestationary object area 10 in the area having the same shape as thestationary object area 10 obtained by shifting the stationary objectarea 10 to the right by the movement amount D_(R).

FIG. 7(b) is a diagram schematically showing an example in which thevideo generation unit 120 sets the first luminance varying area 30 a andthe second luminance varying area 30 b in the image for giving luminancevarying areas in FIG. 7(a) by step S1201 in the fourth embodiment.

Note that the maximum value of the width of the luminance varying areais desirably set so that when the video presentation device 300 presentsvideo generated by the image generation device 100, the viewing angle ofa person who views the video is 0.2 degrees or its vicinity. Forexample, when it is set assuming that the video presented by the videopresentation device 300 is viewed from a position about 100 cm away, themaximum value of the width of the luminance varying area, that is, theabove-described movement amount is desirably set to about 3.5 mm.However, the movement amount is optional, and may be set so that themaximum viewing angle of the width of the luminance varying area isother than the vicinity of 0.2 degrees. Note that, as the maximumviewing angle of the width of the luminance varying area expands to 0.2degrees or more or narrows to 0.2 degrees or less, the illusion effectthat gives a feeling that the stationary object is moving decreases.

While FIG. 7 has been described taking the stationary object area 10 ina heart shape as an example, the shape of the stationary object area 10is not limited to a heart, and whatever shape the stationary object area10 has, the image generation device 100 can be caused to perform theoperation of this embodiment to generate the video 4 for superimpositionthat gives a feeling that the stationary object is moving.

Further, in step S1201-1 and step S1201-3 described above, the examplein which the stationary object area 10 is shifted to right and left hasbeen described, but the stationary object area 10 may be shifted in adirection and in the direction opposite to the direction, for example,the stationary object area 10 may be shifted up and down.

Step S1202 in the case where the overlapping area is set as the thirdluminance varying area 30 c: When the overlapping area is set as thethird luminance varying area 30 c in step S1201, the video generationunit 120 performs step S1202 described in the first embodiment or thesecond embodiment, as well as setting the average value of the luminanceof the first luminance varying area 30 a and the luminance of the secondluminance varying area 30 b, which are set in step S1202 described inthe first embodiment or the second embodiment, as the luminance of thethird luminance varying area 30 c at each time, thereby generating andoutputting the video 4 for superimposition. Note that when the timevariation in luminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a and thetime variation in luminance of the second luminance varying area 30 bare set to have the same amplitude and to be in antiphase, the luminanceof the third luminance varying area 30 c does not vary with timeexceptionally.

Fifth Embodiment

In a fifth embodiment, another embodiment will be described thatgenerates and presents video that gives a feeling that a stationaryobject in any shape is moving. The configuration of an illusion showingsystem of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of any of theembodiments described above, i.e., that in FIG. 1 or 4. A difference ofthe fifth embodiment from the fourth embodiment is step S1201 performedby the video generation unit 120. The difference of the fifth embodimentfrom the fourth embodiment will be described below.

A rotation amount θ_(L) and a rotation amount θ_(R) are used in stepS1201 performed by the video generation unit 120 of the fifthembodiment. The rotation amount θ_(L) and the rotation amount θ_(R) arevalues representing angles of rotation, and may be input from theunillustrated input means provided in the image generation device 100,or ones stored in the unillustrated storage unit in the image generationdevice 100 may be used. Since the rotation amount θ_(L) and the rotationamount θ_(R) are generally set to the same value, the same single valuemay be input or stored in advance, but they may be different values, andeach value may be input or stored in advance.

Step S1201: The video generation unit 120 rotates the stationary objectarea 10 counterclockwise about a certain center point by the rotationamount θ_(L) to obtain an area having the same shape as the stationaryobject area 10 (step S1201-1). Then, the video generation unit 120 setsan area that does not overlap the stationary object area 10 in the areaobtained in step S1201-1 as a luminance varying area (step S1201-2). Theluminance varying area set in step S1201-2 will hereinafter be referredto as a first luminance varying area 30 a. Further, the video generationunit 120 rotates the stationary object area 10 clockwise about the samecenter point as in step S1201 by the rotation amount θ_(R) to obtain anarea having the same shape as the stationary object area 10 (stepS1201-3). Then, the video generation unit 120 sets an area that does notoverlap the stationary object area 10 in the area obtained in stepS1201-3 as a luminance varying area (step S1201-4). The luminancevarying area set in step S1201-4 will hereinafter be referred to as asecond luminance varying area 30 b.

Note that depending on the shape of the stationary object area 10, thearea that does not overlap the stationary object area 10 in the areaobtained in step S1201-1 and the area that does not overlap thestationary object area 10 in the area obtained in step S1201-3 may havean overlapping area. In this case, the overlapping area may be includedin either the first luminance varying area 30 a or the second luminancevarying area 30 b, but the overlapping area may be set as a thirdluminance varying area 30 c.

Further, without division into two steps: step S1201-1 and step S1201-2,the video generation unit 120 may set, as the first luminance varyingarea 30 a, an area that does not overlap the stationary object area 10in the area having the same shape as the stationary object area 10obtained by rotating the stationary object area 10 counterclockwiseabout the certain center point by the rotation amount θ_(L). Similarly,without division into two steps: step S1201-3 and step S1201-4, thevideo generation unit 120 may set, as the second luminance varying area30 b, an area that does not overlap the stationary object area 10 in thearea having the same shape as the stationary object area 10 obtained byrotating the stationary object area 10 clockwise about the same centerpoint by the rotation amount θ_(R). While the center point of rotationmay be set to the centroid of the stationary object area 10, it may beset to be other than the centroid of the stationary object area 10, ormay be specified by inputting it from the unillustrated input meansprovided in the image generation device 100. The well-known affinetransform may be used for the process of rotating an image area.

FIG. 8(a) is a diagram schematically showing the image 1′ for givingluminance varying areas generated by the still image generation unit110. FIG. 8(b) is a diagram schematically showing an example in whichthe video generation unit 120 sets the first luminance varying area 30 aand the second luminance varying area 30 b in the image 1′ for givingluminance varying areas in FIG. 8(a) by step S1201 in the fifthembodiment.

The rotation amount is set so that when the video generated by the imagegeneration device 100 is presented by the video presentation device 300,the maximum value of the width of the luminance varying area correspondsto the viewing angle of 0.2 degrees or its vicinity of a person whoviews the video. For example, when it is set assuming that the videopresented by the video presentation device 300 is viewed from a positionabout 100 cm away, it is desirable to set the rotation amount so thatthe maximum value of the width of the luminance varying area is about3.5 mm. However, the rotation amount is optional, and may be set so thatthe maximum viewing angle of the width of the luminance varying area isother than the vicinity of 0.2 degrees. Note that, as the maximumviewing angle of the width of the luminance varying area expands to 0.2degrees or more or narrows to 0.2 degrees or less, the illusion effectthat gives a feeling that the stationary object is moving decreases.

While FIG. 8 has been described taking the stationary object area 10 ina quadrangular shape as an example, the shape of the stationary objectarea 10 is not limited to a quadrangle, and whatever shape thestationary object area 10 has, the image generation device 100 can becaused to perform the operation of this embodiment to generate the video4 for superimposition that gives a feeling that the stationary object ismoving.

[Modifications of First Embodiment to Fifth Embodiment]

In the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment, the luminance varyingareas are arranged on the left and right sides of the stationary objectarea, respectively, and in the fifth embodiment, the luminance varyingareas are arranged on the counterclockwise side and the clockwise sideof the stationary object area, respectively. That is, in the firstembodiment to the fifth embodiment, embodiments have been described inwhich the two luminance varying areas are located on the spatiallyopposite sides with respect to the stationary object area 10. However,in the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to useonly either the first luminance varying area 30 a or the secondluminance varying area 30 b and not to use the other luminance varyingarea. In this case, the video generation unit 120 may perform theprocess of setting a luminance varying area in step S1201 and theprocess of varying with time the luminance of the luminance varying areain S1202 only for either luminance varying area of the first luminancevarying area 30 a and the second luminance varying area 30 b, and themovement amount or the rotation amount may be input to or stored inadvance.

Sixth Embodiment

In a sixth embodiment, yet another embodiment will be described thatgives a feeling that a stationary object in any shape is moving. Theconfiguration of an illusion showing system of the sixth embodiment isthe same as that of any of the embodiments described above and themodifications of the embodiments described above, i.e., that in FIG. 1or 4. The sixth embodiment is an embodiment that uses one luminancevarying area as in the modifications of the first embodiment to thefifth embodiment. A difference of the sixth embodiment from themodification of the fourth embodiment and the modification of the fifthembodiment is step S1201 performed by the video generation unit 120. Thedifference of the sixth embodiment from the modification of the fourthembodiment and the modification of the fifth embodiment will bedescribed below.

An enlargement factor S is used in step S1201 performed by the videogeneration unit 120 of the sixth embodiment. The enlargement factor Smay be input from the unillustrated input means provided in the imagegeneration device 100, or one stored in the unillustrated storage unitin the image generation device 100 may be used.

Step S1201: The video generation unit 120 enlarges the stationary objectarea 10 at the enlargement factor S with a certain center point as thecenter to obtain an area having the same shape as the stationary objectarea 10 (step S1201-1). Then, the video generation unit 120 sets an areathat does not overlap the stationary object area 10 in the area obtainedin step S1201-1 as a luminance varying area (step S1201-2). Oneluminance varying area is set in this embodiment, and the luminancevarying area set in step S1201-2 will hereinafter be referred to as thefirst luminance varying area 30 a for convenience. Note that withoutdivision into two steps: step S1201-1 and step S1201-2, the videogeneration unit 120 may set, as the first luminance varying area 30 a,an area that does not overlap the stationary object area 10 in the areahaving the same shape as the stationary object area 10 obtained byenlarging the stationary object area 10 at the enlargement factor S withthe certain center point as the center. The center point of enlargementmay be set to the centroid of the stationary object area 10, but it maybe set to be other than the centroid of the stationary object area 10,or may be specified by inputting it from the unillustrated input meansprovided in the image generation device 100. The well-known affinetransform may be used for the process of enlarging an image area.

FIG. 9(a) is a diagram schematically showing the image 1′ for giving aluminance varying area generated by the still image generation unit 110.FIG. 9(b) is a diagram schematically showing an example in which thevideo generation unit 120 sets the first luminance varying area 30 a inthe image 1′ for giving a luminance varying area in FIG. 9(a) by stepS1201 in the sixth embodiment.

The enlargement factor is set so that when the video generated by theimage generation device 100 is presented by the video presentationdevice 300, the maximum value of the width of the luminance varying areacorresponds to the viewing angle of 0.2 degrees or its vicinity of aperson who views the video. For example, when it is set assuming thatthe video presented by the video presentation device 300 is viewed froma position about 100 cm away, it is desirable to set the enlargementfactor so that the maximum value of the width of the luminance varyingarea is about 3.5 mm. However, the enlargement factor is optional, andmay be set so that the maximum viewing angle of the width of theluminance varying area is other than the vicinity of 0.2 degrees. Notethat, as the maximum viewing angle of the width of the luminance varyingarea expands to 0.2 degrees or more or narrows to 0.2 degrees or less,the illusion effect that gives a feeling that the stationary object ismoving decreases.

While FIG. 9 has been described taking the stationary object area 10 ina heart shape as an example, the shape of the stationary object area 10is not limited to a heart, and whatever shape the stationary object area10 has, the video generation unit 120 of the image generation device 100can be caused to perform the operation of this embodiment to generatethe video 4 for superimposition that gives a feeling that the stationaryobject is moving.

Seventh Embodiment

In a seventh embodiment, still another embodiment that gives a feelingthat a stationary object in any shape is moving will be described. Theconfiguration of an illusion showing system of the seventh embodiment isthe same as that of any of the embodiments described above and theirmodifications, i.e., that in FIG. 1 or 4. A difference of the seventhembodiment from the respective embodiments and their modificationsdescribed above is the time-varying luminance of the luminance varyingarea that is set in step S1202 performed by the video generation unit120. The difference of the seventh embodiment from the respectiveembodiments and their modifications described above will be describedbelow.

When the still image generation unit 110 sets the luminance of thestationary object area 10 and the luminance of the background area 20 sothat the luminance of the stationary object area 10 is brighter than theluminance of the background area 20, the video generation unit 120 setsthe maximum value of the time-varying luminance of a luminance varyingarea to a value smaller than or equal to the luminance of the backgroundarea 20, and sets the minimum value of the time-varying luminance of theluminance varying area to a value smaller than the maximum value of thetime-varying luminance of the luminance varying area. That is, themaximum and minimum values of the time-varying luminance of the firstluminance varying area 30 a and the maximum and minimum values of thetime-varying luminance of the second luminance varying area 30 b are setto fall within the ranges of the arrows in FIG. 10(b), in which the axisof ordinates represents relative luminance in the case where theluminance of the stationary object area 10, which is set by the stillimage generation unit 110, is set to a relative luminance of 1, and aluminance value of 0 is set to a relative luminance of 0. FIG. 10(a) isa diagram in which the axis of ordinates represents relative luminancein the case where the luminance of the stationary object area 10 is setto a relative luminance of 1 and a luminance value of 0 is set to arelative luminance of 0 and the axis of abscissas represents time, andwhich shows the luminances of the stationary object area 10 that is areal object, the background area 20 included in the video 4 forsuperimposition or the background area 20 that is a real object, thefirst luminance varying area 30 a included in the video 4 forsuperimposition, and the second luminance varying area 30 b included inthe video 4 for superimposition when the maximum value of the luminanceof the first luminance varying area 30 a and the maximum value of theluminance of the second luminance varying area 30 b are set to the samevalue as the luminance of the background area 20, the minimum value ofthe luminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a and the minimumvalue of the luminance of the second luminance varying area 30 b are setto 0, and the time variation in luminance of the first luminance varyingarea 30 a and the time variation in luminance of the second luminancevarying area 30 b are set to be in a sine wave shape with a phasedifference of 180 degrees (antiphase). For example, in the case of thisembodiment based on the first embodiment, the phase difference can beset to 180 degrees in this way to give a feeling that the stationaryobject is moving to right and left, and further, for example, the phasedifference between the periodic time variation in luminance of the firstluminance varying area 30 a and the periodic time variation in luminanceof the second luminance varying area 30 b can be set to 0 degrees togive a feeling of the enlarging and reducing motion of the stationaryobject.

When the still image generation unit 110 sets the luminance of thestationary object area 10 and the luminance of the background area 20 sothat the luminance of the stationary object area 10 is darker than theluminance of the background area 20, the video generation unit 120 setsthe minimum value of the time-varying luminance of a luminance varyingarea to a value larger than or equal to the luminance of the backgroundarea 20, and sets the maximum value of the time-varying luminance of theluminance varying area to a value larger than the minimum value of thetime-varying luminance of the luminance varying area. That is, themaximum and minimum values of the time-varying luminance of the firstluminance varying area 30 a and the maximum and minimum values of thetime-varying luminance of the second luminance varying area 30 b are setto fall within the ranges of the arrows in FIG. 11(b), in which the axisof ordinates represents relative luminance in the case where theluminance of the stationary object area 10, which is set by the stillimage generation unit 110, is set to a relative luminance of 0, and themaximum representable luminance is set to a relative luminance of 1.FIG. 11(a) is a diagram in which the axis of ordinates representsrelative luminance in the case where the luminance of the stationaryobject area 10 is set to a relative luminance of 0 and the maximumrepresentable luminance is set to a relative luminance of 1 and the axisof abscissas represents time, and which shows the luminances of thestationary object area 10 that is a real object, the background area 20included in the video 4 for superimposition or the background area 20that is a real object, the first luminance varying area 30 a included inthe video 4 for superimposition, and the second luminance varying area30 b included in the video 4 for superimposition when the minimum valueof the luminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a and theminimum value of the luminance of the second luminance varying area 30 bare set to the same value as the luminance of the background area 20,the maximum value of the luminance of the first luminance varying area30 a and the maximum value of the luminance of the second luminancevarying area 30 b are set to the maximum representable luminance value,and the time variation in luminance of the first luminance varying area30 a and the time variation in luminance of the second luminance varyingarea 30 b are set to be in a sine wave shape with a phase difference of180 degrees (antiphase). For example, in the case of this embodimentbased on the second embodiment, the phase difference is set to 180degrees in this way, thereby allowing to feel as if the stationaryobject is moving to right and left, and further, for example, by settingthe phase difference between the periodic time variation in luminance ofthe first luminance varying area 30 a and the periodic time variation inluminance of the second luminance varying area 30 b to 0 degrees,allowing to feel the enlarging and reducing motion of the stationaryobject.

In the case where the luminance of the first luminance varying area 30 aand the luminance of the second luminance varying area 30 b are variedwith time as shown in FIG. 13(c) and FIG. 14(c), when the luminances ofthe stationary object area 10 and the first luminance varying area 30 ahave become equal, a feeling is given that the stationary object ismoving in the direction of the first luminance varying area 30 a, andwhen the luminances of the stationary object area 10 and the secondluminance varying area 30 b have become equal, a feeling is given thatthe stationary object is moving in the direction of the second luminancevarying area 30 b. It is considered that this is because an apparentmotion occurs, which is generally famous as a motion representation inanimation. When the three video frames in FIG. 12 are temporallyconsecutively displayed at the same spatial position in the order of(a), (b), and (c), the luminance of the second luminance varying area 30b adjacent to the right side of the stationary object area 10 is equalto the luminance of the stationary object area 10 in FIG. 12(a) which isthe first frame, so that the stationary object looks closer to theright. Thereafter, from FIG. 12(a) which is the first frame through FIG.12(b) which is the second frame to FIG. 12(c) which is the third frame,the luminance of the second luminance varying area 30 b gets fartherfrom the luminance of the stationary object area 10, the luminance ofthe first luminance varying area 30 a gets closer to the luminance ofthe stationary object area 10, and in FIG. 12(c) which is the thirdframe, the luminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a adjacentto the left side of the stationary object area 10 is equal to theluminance of the stationary object area 10, so that the stationaryobject looks closer to the left. It is considered that the stationaryobject is perceived to be moving by continuously perceiving thisapparent positional movement. Since FIG. 12(a) corresponds to the framenumber of 4 in FIG. 14(c), FIG. 12(b) corresponds to the frame number of10 in FIG. 14(c), and FIG. 12(c) corresponds to the frame number of 12in FIG. 14(c), it is considered that, by varying with time the luminanceof the first luminance varying area 30 a and the luminance of the secondluminance varying area 30 b as shown in FIG. 14(c), a feeling is giventhat the stationary object is periodically moving to right and left. Thesame applies to FIG. 13 as well as FIG. 14. However, the feature of thisembodiment is to be able to give a feeling that the stationary object ismoving even when the apparent motion is not established between thestationary object and the luminance varying area.

Note that when the overlapping area is set as the third luminancevarying area 30 c in step S1201, the video generation unit 120 generatesand outputs the video 4 for superimposition as described in the fourthembodiment by varying with time the luminance of the first luminancevarying area 30 a and the luminance of the third luminance varying area30 b as described above, as well as setting the average value of theluminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a and the luminance ofthe second luminance varying area 30 b as the luminance of the thirdluminance varying area 30 c at each time. When the time variation inluminance of the first luminance varying area 30 a and the timevariation in luminance of the second luminance varying area 30 b are setto have the same amplitude and to be in antiphase as described in thefourth embodiment, the luminance of the third luminance varying area 30c does not vary with time exceptionally.

[Other Modifications]

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodimentsand their modifications. For example, the luminances in the stationaryobject area 10 may or may not be uniform. That is, the figure drawn bythe still image generation unit 110 in step S1102-2 has only to have theaverage luminance equal to the luminance of the stationary object area10 set in step S1101, the luminances of all the pixels in the figure maybe the same, or the luminances may be different between the pixels inthe figure because of, for example, containing a pattern or picture.Further, the colors in the stationary object area 10 may or may not beuniform.

Further, the luminances in the background area 20 may or may not beuniform. That is, the background image generated by the still imagegeneration unit 110 in step S1102-1 has only to have the averageluminance equal to the luminance of the background area 20 set in stepS1101, the luminances of all the pixels in the background image may bethe same, or the luminances may be different between the pixels in thebackground image because of, for example, containing a pattern orpicture. Further, the colors in the background area 20 may or may not beuniform.

For example, when a figure containing a pattern or picture is used asthe stationary object area 10, a stationary object image that is animage to be used as the stationary object area 10 may be allowed to beinput from the unillustrated input means provided in the imagegeneration device 100, and the still image generation unit 110 maydetermine the average luminance of the input stationary object image andset the determined average luminance of the stationary object image asthe luminance of the stationary object area 10 in step S1101, and drawthe input stationary object image near the center of the backgroundimage to generate the image for giving luminance varying areas in stepS1102-2.

Further, for example, when the background area 20 is set to contain apattern or picture, a background image may be allowed to be input fromthe unillustrated input means provided in the image generation device100, and the still image generation unit 110 may determine the averageluminance of the input background image and set the determined averageluminance of the background image as the luminance of the backgroundarea 20 in step S1101, omit step S1102-1 for generating the backgroundimage, and use the input background image in step S1102-2 instead of thebackground image generated in step S1102-1.

Note that when a figure containing a pattern or picture is used as thestationary object area 10 and the background area 20 is set to contain apattern or picture, the video generation unit 120 may vary with time theluminances of the first luminance varying area 30 a and the secondluminance varying area 30 b in step S1202 as described in the firstembodiment or as described in the seventh embodiment as the processingin the case of setting the luminance of the stationary object area 10and the luminance of the background area 20 so that the luminance of thestationary object area 10 is brighter than the luminance of thebackground area 20 when the luminance of the stationary object area 10set in step S1101 is brighter than the luminance of the background area20, and as described in the second embodiment or as described in theseventh embodiment as the processing in the case of setting theluminance of the stationary object area 10 and the luminance of thebackground area 20 so that the luminance of the stationary object area10 is darker than the luminance of the background area 20 when theluminance of the stationary object area 10 set in step S1101 is darkerthan the luminance of the background area 20.

Further, While the luminances in a luminance varying area are preferablyuniform, they may not necessarily be uniform. That is, While theluminances in each luminance varying area that are varied with time bythe video generation unit 120 in step S1202 are preferably the sameluminance for all pixels in each luminance varying area at each time,there may be a difference in luminance between pixels in each luminancevarying area at each time. Further, the colors in each luminance varyingarea may or may not be uniform.

In addition, the above-described various processes may be executed notonly in time series according to the description but also in parallel orindividually according to the processing capability of the device thatexecutes the processes or as needed. Needless to say, other changes canbe made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

[Hardware and Program]

The above-described image generation device is configured, for example,through execution of a predetermined program by a general-purpose orspecial-purpose computer comprising a processor (hardware processor)such as a CPU (central processing unit) and a memory such as a RAM(random-access memory) and a ROM (read-only memory). This computer maycomprise one processor and one memory, or may comprise a plurality ofprocessors and a plurality of memories. This program may be installed ina computer or may be recorded in advance in a ROM or the like. Further,some or all of the processing units may be configured using electroniccircuitry that realizes a processing function without using a program,rather than electronic circuitry that realizes a functionalconfiguration by reading a program like a CPU. Electronic circuitry thatconstitutes one image generation device may include a plurality of CPUs.

When the configuration of the image generation device described above isrealized by a computer, the processing contents of the functions thatthe image generation device should have are written in a program. Byexecuting this program on a computer, the above-described processingfunctions are realized on the computer. The program in which theprocessing contents are written can be recorded in a computer-readablerecording medium. An example of a computer-readable recording medium isa non-transitory recording medium. Examples of such a recording mediuminclude a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, a magneto-opticalrecording medium, a semiconductor memory and the like.

This program is distributed by, for example, selling, transferring, orlending a portable recording medium such as a DVD or a CD-ROM in whichthe program is recorded. Further, a configuration is possible in whichthis program is distributed by storing this program in a storage deviceof a server computer in advance, and transferring the program from theserver computer to another computer via a network.

For example, a computer that executes such a program first temporarilystores the program recorded on a portable recording medium or theprogram transferred from the server computer in its own storage device.When executing a process, this computer reads the program stored in itsown storage device, and executes a process according to the readprogram. As another execution form of this program, the computer maydirectly read the program from the portable recording medium and executea process according to the program, and further, each time a program istransferred from the server computer to this computer, a processaccording to the received program may be executed sequentially. Aconfiguration is possible in which the above-described processes areexecuted by a so-called ASP (application service provider) type servicethat does not transfer the program from the server computer to thiscomputer but realizes a processing function only by its executioninstruction and acquisition of results.

Instead of realizing the processing functions of the present device byexecuting a predetermined program on the computer, at least a part ofthese processing functions may be realized by hardware.

[Summary]

The illusion showing systems 400 of the first, second, fourth and fifthembodiments, their modifications, and the sixth and seventh embodimentsinclude: an object 60; and a video presentation device 300 that presentsvideo 4 for superimposition that includes a stationary object area 10having a substantially identical contour as a contour of the object 60,at least one luminance varying area 30 a, 30 b, 30 c located along acontour of the stationary object area 10, and a background area 20 otherthan the stationary object area 10 and the luminance varying area 30 a,30 b, 30 c, and in which luminance of the luminance varying area 30 a,30 b, 30 c varies with time in a luminance range based on luminance ofthe object 60 and luminance of the background area 20. The object 60 andthe video 4 for superimposition are shown so that a contour of thestationary object area of the video 4 for superimposition presented bythe video presentation device 300 substantially matches a contour of theobject 60. For example, (1) luminance of the object 60 is brighter thanluminance of the background area 20, and a maximum value of luminance ofthe luminance varying area 30 a, 30 b, 30 c is smaller than or equal toluminance of the background area 20. Or, (2) luminance of the object 60is darker than luminance of the background area 20, and a minimum valueof luminance of the luminance varying area 30 a, 30 b, 30 c is higherthan or equal to luminance of the background area 20.

The illusion showing systems 400 of the third to fifth embodiments,their modifications, and the sixth and seventh embodiments include: anobject 80 that includes a first partial area 81 and a second partialarea 82 that is an area other than at least one light-transmitting arealocated along a contour of the first partial area 81 and the firstpartial area 81; and a video presentation device 300 that presents video4 for superimposition that includes a stationary object area 10 having asubstantially identical contour as a contour of the object 80, at leastone luminance varying area 30 a, 30 b, 30 c having a substantiallyidentical contour as a contour of the light-transmitting area, and abackground area 20 other than the stationary object area 10 and theluminance varying area 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, and in which luminance of theluminance varying area 30 a, 30 b, 30 c varies with time in a luminancerange based on luminance of the first partial area 81 of the object 80and luminance of the second partial area 82 of the object 80. The object80 and the video 4 for superimposition are shown so that a contour ofthe stationary object area 10 of the video 4 for superimpositionpresented by the video presentation device 300 substantially matches acontour of the first partial area 81 of the object 80. For example, (1)luminance of the first partial area 81 is brighter than luminance of thesecond partial area 82, and a maximum value of luminance of theluminance varying area 30 a, 30 b, 30 c is smaller than or equal toluminance of the second partial area 82; or (2) luminance of the firstpartial area 81 is darker than luminance of the second partial area 82,and a minimum value of luminance of the luminance varying area 30 a, 30b, 30 c is higher than or equal to luminance of the second partial area82.

For example, the luminance varying area 30 a, 30 b, 30 c is a portionthat does not overlap the stationary object area 10 in at least one areaobtained by moving and/or enlarging the stationary object area 10. Themovement of the stationary object area 10 may be translational movementof each point included in the stationary object area 10 as illustratedin the fourth embodiment, may be rotation of the stationary object area10 as illustrated in the fifth embodiment, or may be a combination oftranslational movement of each point included in the stationary objectarea 10 and rotation of the stationary object area 10. For example, theluminance varying area 30 a, 30 b, 30 c (A) may be a portion that doesnot overlap the stationary object area 10 in one or a plurality of areasobtained by translating each point included in the stationary objectarea 10, (B) may be a portion that does not overlap the stationaryobject area 10 in one or more areas obtained by rotating the stationaryobject area 10 about one or more points, respectively, or (C) may be aportion that does not overlap the stationary object area 10 in one ormore areas obtained by translating each point included in the stationaryobject area 10 and rotating it about one or more points, respectively.Note that the movement of the stationary object area 10 may target oneor a plurality of partial areas included in the stationary object area10. In this case, the movement of each partial area may be translationalmovement of each point in the partial area, may be rotation of thepartial area, or may be a combination of translational movement of eachpoint and rotation of the partial area.

As illustrated in the first to fifth embodiments, one stationary objectarea 10 may be provided with a plurality of luminance varying areas, oras illustrated in the modifications of the first embodiment to the fifthembodiment, one stationary object area 10 may be provided with only oneluminance varying area 30 a.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   100 Image generation device    -   300 Video presentation device    -   200 Object generation device    -   400 Illusion showing system

The invention claimed is:
 1. An illusion showing system comprising: an object; and a video presentation device that projects video for superimposition on the object wherein the video for superimposition includes a stationary object area having a substantially identical contour as a contour of the object, at least one luminance varying area located at an outer position along a contour of the stationary object area, and a background area other than the stationary object area and the luminance varying area, and in which luminance of the luminance varying area varies with time in a luminance range based on luminance of the object and luminance of the background area, and wherein a luminance value of the stationary object area is 0, the luminance of the luminance varying area is uniform at each time, (1) when average luminance of the object is brighter than average luminance of the background area, a maximum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is smaller than or equal to the average luminance of the object, (2) when average luminance of the object is darker than average luminance of the background area, a minimum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is higher than or equal to the average luminance of the object, and the object and the video for superimposition are shown so that a contour of the stationary object area of the video for superimposition presented by the video presentation device substantially matches a contour of the object.
 2. An illusion showing system comprising: an object that includes a first partial area and a second partial area that is an area neither one light-transmitting area located at an outer position along a contour of the first partial area nor the first partial area; and a video presentation device that presents video for superimposition on a screen where the object is placed wherein the video for superimposition includes a stationary object area having a substantially identical contour as a contour of the object, at least one luminance varying area having a substantially identical contour as a contour of the light-transmitting area, and a background area other than the stationary object area and the luminance varying area, and in which luminance of the luminance varying area varies with time in a luminance range based on luminance of the first partial area of the object and luminance of the second partial area of the object, wherein the luminance of the luminance varying area is uniform at each time, (1) when average luminance of the first partial area is brighter than average luminance of the second partial area, a maximum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is smaller than or equal to the average luminance of the first partial area, (2) when average luminance of the first partial area is darker than average luminance of the second partial area, a minimum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is higher than or equal to the average luminance of the first partial area, and the object and the video for superimposition are shown so that a contour of the stationary object area of the video for superimposition presented by the video presentation device substantially matches a contour of the first partial area of the object.
 3. An illusion showing system comprising: an object; and a video presentation device that presents video for superimposition on a screen where the object is placed wherein the video for superimposition includes a stationary object area having a substantially identical contour as a contour of the object, at least one luminance varying area located at an outer position along a contour of the stationary object area, and a background area other than the stationary object area and the luminance varying area, and in which luminance of the luminance varying area varies with time in a luminance range based on luminance of the object and luminance of the background area, wherein the luminance of the luminance varying area is uniform at each time, (1) when average luminance of the object is brighter than average luminance of the background area, a maximum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is smaller than or equal to the average luminance of the object, (2) when average luminance of the object is darker than average luminance of the background area, a minimum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is higher than or equal to the average luminance of the object, and the object and the video for superimposition are shown so that a contour of the stationary object area of the video for superimposition presented by the video presentation device substantially matches a contour of the object.
 4. The illusion showing system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein: (1) when the average luminance of the object is brighter than the average luminance of the background area, the maximum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is smaller than or equal to the average luminance of the background area; (2) when the average luminance of the object is darker than the average luminance of the background area, the minimum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is higher than or equal to the average luminance of the background area.
 5. The illusion showing system according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the luminance varying area is a portion that does not overlap the stationary object area in at least one area obtained by moving and/or enlarging the stationary object area.
 6. The illusion showing system according to claim 2, wherein: (1) when the average luminance of the first partial area is brighter than the average luminance of the second partial area, the maximum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is smaller than or equal to the average luminance of the second partial area; (2) when the average luminance of the first partial area is darker than the average luminance of the second partial area, the minimum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is higher than or equal to the average luminance of the second partial area.
 7. An illusion showing method using an object and a video presentation device, the method comprising a step of the video presentation device projecting video for superimposition on the object wherein the video for superimposition includes a stationary object area having a substantially identical contour as a contour of the object, at least one luminance varying area located at an outer position along a contour of the stationary object area, and a background area other than the stationary object area and the luminance varying area, and in which luminance of the luminance varying area varies with time in a luminance range based on luminance of the object and luminance of the background area, wherein a luminance value of the stationary object area is 0, the luminance of the luminance varying area is uniform at each time, (1) when average luminance of the object is brighter than average luminance of the background area, a maximum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is smaller than or equal to the average luminance of the object, (2) when average luminance of the object is darker than average luminance of the background area, a minimum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is higher than or equal to the average luminance of the object, and the object and the video for superimposition are shown so that a contour of the stationary object area of the video for superimposition presented by the video presentation device substantially matches a contour of the object.
 8. An illusion showing method using an object and a video presentation device, wherein the object includes a first partial area and a second partial area that is an area neither light-transmitting area located along a contour of the first partial area nor the first partial area, the method comprising a step of the video presentation device presenting video for superimposition on a screen where the object is placed wherein the video for superimposition includes a stationary object area having a substantially identical contour as a contour of the object, at least one luminance varying area having a substantially identical contour as a contour of the light-transmitting area, and a background area other than the stationary object area and the luminance varying area, and in which luminance of the luminance varying area varies with time in a luminance range based on luminance of the first partial area of the object and luminance of the second partial area of the object, wherein the luminance of the luminance varying area is uniform at each time, (1) when average luminance of the first partial area is brighter than average luminance of the second partial area, a maximum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is smaller than or equal to the average luminance of the first partial area, (2) when average luminance of the first partial area is darker than average luminance of the second partial area, a minimum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is higher than or equal to the average luminance of the first partial area, and the object and the video for superimposition are shown so that a contour of the stationary object area of the video for superimposition presented by the video presentation device substantially matches a contour of the first partial area of the object.
 9. An illusion showing method using an object and a video presentation device, the method comprising a step of the video presentation device presenting video for superimposition on a screen where the object is placed wherein the video for superimposition includes a stationary object area having a substantially identical contour as a contour of the object, at least one luminance varying area located at an outer position along a contour of the stationary object area, and a background area other than the stationary object area and the luminance varying area, and in which luminance of the luminance varying area varies with time in a luminance range based on luminance of the object and luminance of the background area, wherein the luminance of the luminance varying area is uniform at each time, (1) when average luminance of the object is brighter than average luminance of the background area, a maximum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is smaller than or equal to the average luminance of the object, (2) when average luminance of the object is darker than average luminance of the background area, a minimum value of luminance of the luminance varying area is higher than or equal to the average luminance of the object, and the object and the video for superimposition are shown so that a contour of the stationary object area of the video for superimposition presented by the video presentation device substantially matches a contour of the object. 